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June 14, 2012 | #1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: yorba linda, ca
Posts: 27
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2012 Earthtainer project
A newbies Earthtainer project. Started Mar 11 and harvested tomatoes on May 9.
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June 14, 2012 | #2 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Santa Clara CA
Posts: 1,125
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Ray will be very proud. Great job!
Damon |
June 14, 2012 | #3 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Gardiner, NY
Posts: 121
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Wow, great looking plants. You get started early in a hoop house kind of area.
__________________
Zone 5a |
June 14, 2012 | #4 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Long Island NY
Posts: 1,992
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June 14, 2012 | #5 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: yorba linda, ca
Posts: 27
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I did construct a retractable poly cover to help them through those initial cold nights and protect them from any late rain. Big Beef variety, very disease resistant!
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June 14, 2012 | #6 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: yorba linda, ca
Posts: 27
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The cages are CRW bent to Ray's specs. I used a homemade jig and a lot of elbow grease! I have recently put the extensions on. Plants are 8' now.
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June 14, 2012 | #7 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Long Island NY
Posts: 1,992
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Thanks. I am always interested in the methodology when I see it done differently.
Looks like they have served you well already! |
June 14, 2012 | #8 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Campbell, CA
Posts: 4,064
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tom-ato,
Outstanding results!!! Several folks growing in Containers experience leaf yellowing starting at the bottom of the plant, progressing upwards throughout the Season. Can you tell us what Grow Media Mix you used, as well as do you spray with Daconil, or other Fungicide? BTW, the box of tomatoes in Photo #6 should be addressed to: Ray Newstead Campbell, CA. 95008 Raybo |
June 14, 2012 | #9 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: yorba linda, ca
Posts: 27
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Ray,
As far as the soil blend, I followed your instruction guide exactly. We have had exceptional weather this year. Dry, warm and very low humidity. I spray once a week with an Actinovate/Excel and every other week with Azamax and Takedown. I also have sprayed twice this season with BT. I have had to add two calcium snack feedings, with Maxi Cal, directly to the water reservoir so far this season. I can tell when my plants are running on empty. |
June 14, 2012 | #10 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Campbell, CA
Posts: 4,064
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tom-ato,
To be clear, did you use my "standard" Grow Media instruction, or did you use the "Tweaks For Experts" 3:2:1 ratio of Sunshine Advanced Mix #4, Microbark, and Perlite? I am gobsmacked how green your leaves are all the way down to the bottom. Typically, when my tomatoes commence ripening, I see a pattern of yellow leaves developing from the bottom, and it becomes a "race to the top" in tomato production over the Season. EDIT: I have been trying to locate the Maxi-Cal on amazon.com, etc, but can't seem to find an on-line source for purchase. Can you tell us where you purchased this product? Raybo Last edited by rnewste; June 14, 2012 at 01:02 PM. |
June 14, 2012 | #11 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: yorba linda, ca
Posts: 27
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Ray,
I used the "Tweaks for Experts" 3:2:1. The bark I used was the 1/4" orchid bark from Sequoia. I found the Maxi Cal at a fertilizer supply house in Temecula, CA. called L&M Fertilizers. Would you like me to pick some up for you? |
June 14, 2012 | #12 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: yorba linda, ca
Posts: 27
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June 14, 2012 | #13 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: yorba linda, ca
Posts: 27
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June 14, 2012 | #14 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Long Island NY
Posts: 1,992
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tom-ato,
Saw your other thread with the raised beds - also impressive! With respect to the orchid bark, were you able to get it in bulk at a good price? Did you use it in the raised beds as well? I used some this winter for a carrot Inntainer grow, worked well but not inexpensive. (at least in NY) |
June 14, 2012 | #15 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: yorba linda, ca
Posts: 27
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JamesL,
I can only find the orchid bark in bags locally, and yes it is expensive, but I feel it is the best product for this application. No, I did not use it in the raised beds, to expensive. |
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